Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Building works in the parish grounds: Take care

Work has now begun on the parish centre lawn and path. Please note that until further notice the pathway between the church and the presbytery is closed. Please access the parish centre via the path to the left of the church.

Christian Meditation Group

There is a Christian Meditation Group in Nazareth House, 162 East End Road, every Tuesday morning at 10.30 am – after the 10 am Mass.

Next INCENSED Youth Group (ages 10 - 18)

Join us on 30th April at 11 am in the community room (Father Terry’s house). Our topic this month: Islam, we have a few questions! With guest speakers Ambreen Majid and Mehreen Baig from BAFTA nominated TV show ‘Muslims like us’. New people always welcome, ages 10+. Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk

SVP Quiz Night – Saturday 6th May at 7.15 pm

The SVP will be holding a Quiz Night (please note the amended start time of 7.15 pm) with a sausage and mash dinner (vegetarian option available) in the parish centre. Please put your name on the list in the porch. £10.00 on the door. Bring your own alcoholic beverages.

Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grimstead

The Consolata Fathers are holding a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grimstead on Saturday 17th June 2017. It is an opportunity to visit the 17th Century secret Chapel – a time when priests celebrated Holy Mass under fear of death. The cost is £25 per person and includes coach, lunch, teas, coffees and soft drinks. To book: please make cheques payable to Consolata Fathers dated 1st May 2017 and post with details to The Superior, Consolata Fathers, 3 Salisbury Avenue, London N3 3AJ. Please book early – cheques not banked until 1st May. For further details, contact Stella Devlin on 0208 445 3099.

Pilgrimage to Fatima 14th-20th September 2017

There is a special pilgrimage to Fatima being organised for the centenary year of the apparitions. The pilgrimage will include Santiago de Compostella and will be led by Fr Luis Tomas of the Consolata Mission House here in Finchley. Four nights in Fatima, two nights in Santiago de Compostella. Cost: £679. Further details: Tony O’Byrne 0208 361 1300.

Kristy asks you to give your pounds for her pounds

At the start of Lent, Cardinal Vincent Nichols asked us to focus on caring for the sick and those whose lives are coming to an end. North London Hospice does just that and Kristy Bradnum is raising money for them through the £s for Lbs challenge. Find out more and donate via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Kristy

Brightlights Young Adult Festival Weekend at Alton Castle

The Brightlights Organising Committee writes: Brightlights is an annual event for Catholic young adults (ages 16-30) taking place 23rd – 26th June in the beautiful grounds of Alton Castle in Staffordshire. There will be speakers, workshops, drama, prayer, Reconciliation, Mass and live music from artists including One Hope Project and Guvna B. It is a place where young adults can discover more about themselves, others and God in a safe and relaxed environment and share faith and experiences with others of the same age-group and outlook. To find out more information or book tickets and a coach space visit brightlights.org.uk or call 0300 075 0115.

Gianni Emoli RIP

We have been notified that Mr Gianni Emoli, a former parishioner of St Mary’s, passed away on 11th April. He had moved to Colchester with his wife Teresa and the funeral will be held there.

Hearing Aid Clinic

If you wear NHS hearing aids you might like to know that there is a free walk-in hearing aid clinic at the Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane (next to the Grange Estate) N2 8LT. It is available on the last Thursday of every month 1-3 pm and can help with new batteries, new ear-mould tubing, advice and information.

Adult Faith Formation Event - Mindfulness in the Christian Tradition

Ausra Cane, Agency for Evangelisation wrties Father Malachy Keegan returns on Wednesday, 26 April for his introduction to Mindfulness. What is it? How does Christian mindfulness differ from secular or Buddhist mindfulness? How does it relate to our Catholic Faith and one’s prayer life? On Wed 26th April, 10.00 am – at 3 pm at The Niland Conference Centre, Rosary Priory, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 4EE. Please bring a packed lunch; teas and coffees are provided (available from 9.30 am). Registration is required. Please register at livingfaith@rcdow.org.uk or call to our automated service at 02079316078 and leave your contact details.

Volunteering with Caritas

Caritas, an official agency of the diocese, has been encouraging more people to become involved in social action. As part of this it has developed an online volunteer service which makes it easy for people to find the right volunteer role for them. They say: 'By sharing your gifts and talents you are making a difference to your community and to the individuals you work with.' Register at:

Search for Volunteering Opportunities : Caritas Westminster There are also some cards and leaflets about this on the table by the door.

Marriage Care volunteers needed

Marriage Care is a Catholic organisation providing marriage preparation and relationship counselling services through 50 centres across England and Wales.

Our centre for Barnet and Enfield is in need of Marriage Preparation Course Facilitators to present and facilitate marriage preparation courses to small groups of engaged couples (training is provided) and an Administrator to help with the smooth running of the centres services. We are also in need of qualified Relationship Counsellors to deliver relationship counselling. For more information or to apply, please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or emailvolunteer@marriagecare.org.uk

Easter Collection

Fr Terry thanks you for your generosity at Easter when the collection came to £2700

Defence of life

Our friends at LIFE charity have been under serious attack by the abortion lobby because the government has wisely decided to give them £250,000 of money raised by the ‘Tampon Tax’ (5% VAT on women’s sanitary products) to LIFE. It will be used for housing and practical help for young homeless pregnant women who are homeless in west London. Pressure is being bought to bear on Rob Wilson, the Minister for Civil Society, to have the funding for LIFE withdrawn. If they succeed, this would withdraw money that would go directly to support vulnerable pregnant women. LIFE have set up an e-mail facility that will enable anyone to write to their MPs and support LIFE and the decision to fund them. Please use this facility as soon as you can, and encourage other as many others to do so as possible. You can do this via: https://lifecharity.org.uk/act-now/

SPEC gap year opportunities

Over 18 and planning a gap year? Join us for a year at the Westminster Youth Ministry retreat centre as a volunteer missionary, supporting schools and parishes of our diocese. Develop skills to help you with your future career, and grow in your Catholic faith. to find out more, visit www.dowym.com/spec

Pray for the sick esp. Sister Sheila, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson, Annette O’Gorman.

Baptisms

Let us ask God’s blessing on Ruairi Winter Johnston and Nicholas James Oliver who were baptised here at the Easter Vigil Mass and on Ella Rose Donoghue Caddle who was baptised here yesterday (Saturday 22nd April).